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Podcast

AI Won’t Replace You. But Lawyers Using AI Will: Game-Changing Insights from Kellam T. Parks

43:47 min

Contrary to popular belief, AI won’t replace lawyers. But it’s important to remember that lawyers who use AI are a formidable opponent. In the latest episode of Between the Briefs, Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens sit down with Kella T. Parks, Managing Member at Parks Ziegler, to explore how AI and modern technology are reshaping law firm economics, why legacy systems are costing you more than you realize and the concrete strategies to future-proof your practice.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to transition from billable hours to alternative fee arrangements using AI efficiencies

  • Why digital court reporting and AI-powered document review can reduce paralegal costs by 80-90% while improving accuracy

  • The three-step framework for law firms beginning their technology transformation

  • How to build a modern law firm using KPIs and business metrics across five key areas: financial, operational, marketing, employee satisfaction, and client satisfaction

  • The critical gap between technological fluency and business acumen in newly licensed attorneys

  • Why "AI will replace lawyers using AI, but not AI itself" and how to future-proof your practice

 

This conversation reveals all the perks of embracing technology - a reminder that it can transform your profitability, client service and quality of life tomorrow.

Quotes:

  • "I started my own firm in 2012, in large part, because I wanted to embrace modern technologies and sort of figure out a more modern way to practice law."

  • "We're a technologically forward company. If you're not comfortable with technology and learning new things and being willing to experiment and take the time to learn, this is not the right fit for you. We tell them right away, this is what we're about, and we actually do paid time at the firm to walk them through and see that."

  • "Step one is find somebody that knows what they're doing to protect yourself and educate you on the basics. Step two is be curious - I'm a YouTube junkie and I follow thought leaders in AI and technology space. Step three is join groups and get coaching, because no elite athlete is where they are without coaching."

  • "AI isn't gonna replace lawyers necessarily, but lawyers that use AI are gonna replace lawyers that don't. Document review, contract drafting, simple wills - there's no way AI isn't gonna completely replace lawyers doing that. Your value will shift to litigation, personal connections, and strategy rather than basic document creation."

Highlights

00:00
Introduction & Meeting Kellam T. Parks 

01:44
From Philosophy Major to Tech-Forward Law Firm Pioneer

03:00
The Competitive Edge: Building a Paperless Practice

04:25
Cloud-Based Systems and Digital Court Reporting Revolutionize Litigation

07:55
Hiring the Right Tech-Forward Talent 

09:32
AI-Powered Document Reviews Reduce Paralegal Costs by 85-90%

About the Contributors

Joe Stephens

Joe Stephens, J.D., is Steno's Director of Legal Solutions as well as a Clinical Lecturer at Texas Tech University School of Law. With over 15 years of experience in criminal defense and public service, he founded and led Texas' largest rural public defender office, which serves a 12-county area. A graduate of The University of Texas School of Law (cum laude) and Vanderbilt University (B.A.), Stephens currently serves as a Board Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association (TCDLA) and sits on multiple State Bar of Texas committees. His expertise spans the intersection of legal practice and technological innovation in the justice system.

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Adrian Cea

Adrian Cea is Steno's Social Media Manager, leading content strategy, audience engagement, and digital brand-building across platforms. He also produces and co-hosts Between the Briefs, Steno's podcast covering the intersection of legal technology, court reporting, and the future of litigation. With a background spanning content creation, field marketing, and sales at companies like Sell Better and Chili Piper, Adrian brings a multi-disciplined lens to making complex legal tech topics accessible and engaging.

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